Hooded Merganser, from the Game Birds series (N40) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888 - 1890

This chromolithograph card, created between 1888-1890 by Allen & Ginter, depicts a Hooded Merganser. It is one of a series of cards produced for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. The card's design features a realistic depiction of the bird, set against a scenic background of water and reeds, with a small Native American figure hunting in the foreground. The inclusion of an advertisement for Richmond Straight Cut No. 1 Cigarettes, a popular brand at the time, highlights the commercial context of this artwork. The card, which measures 2 7/8 x 3 1/4 inches, is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.